What do I need for a tour?

Passport and paperwork

Passport.

Your passport should have at least 6 months left on it before expiring.

UK passport holders currently do not need a visa for entry into Europe or Morocco, but if you're lucky enough to have been in Europe over the past 6 months, bear in mind Non-EU citizens can stay in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within any 180 day period.

Your passport will need at least 2 blank pages available for stamping in and out (Moroccan officials can be a bit funny about this).

ETIAS - European Travel Information and Authorisation System

At some point in 2025 or 2026, the EU will be rolling out their Entry/Exit System and with that a fee (approximately €7) that may need to be applied for in advance. It is currently unknown exactly when this will start.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/eu-entryexit-system

Drivers licence.

You need a valid drivers licence. If it's not a photocard, good luck if you get stopped! You don't need an International Driving Permit (IDP) for Europe or Morocco.

V5C proof of ownership.

You need the whole original V5C (red) vehicle log book. For Morocco, the name on your passport must match the name on the V5C. If you're lucky enough to have a company owned motorbike, you need a letterheaded letter from the company on the V5C stating that you (named) are permitted to drive the vehicle (reg) for leisure purposes to Morocco. This applies even if it's your own company. The more wordy and official looking, the better!

MOT Certificate.

You'll need a paper copy of your valid MOT certificate for vehicles over 3 years old.

European motor insurance.

You'll need European motor insurance. You can usually get this from your existing insurance provider. You do not need a Green Card for Europe. This needs to be a paper copy.

Green card for Morocco.

You may be lucky enough to have a 'Green Card' motor insurance extension for Morocco. If you do, awesome - you don't need to get Moroccan insurance at the port.

Most UK insurers no longer provide a green card for Morocco, but your guide will arrange border insurance upon arrival.

European breakdown cover

We require that all customers have European breakdown cover for their motorcycles. This must cover repatriation of both them and their motorcycle in case of accident or breakdown.

For Moroccan tours, there is no national breakdown cover available. Whilst the tour guide will assist in finding a local garage, it will be your responsibility to cover costs for any repairs. Additionally, there is no national recovery available. The tour guide will assist in finding a local recovery company to bring your motorbike back to port, where once in Europe it is covered under your European breakdown cover. It will be your responsibility to cover costs for any recovery in Morocco (usually not more than £250).

Medical / Travel insurance - GHIC card

For any tour through Europe, we recommend that UK residents apply for a free Global Health Insurance Card from the NHS.

This isn't a replacement for travel insurance and we strongly recommend that you take out travel insurance that covers cancellation of your holiday in case you can't make the tour due to an accident, illness or redundancy before departure.

This should also cover you for medical treatment in the countries you visit and should cover you whilst riding a motorcycle and include repatriation. Not all providers cover motorcycle riding, so please check the small print.

Motorcycle helmet with UK passport, sitting on a motorbike seat

woman putting aluminium silver luggage on a bmw adventure motorbike, in a garage

Bike Preparation

UK Sticker.

If you're driving a UK registered vehicle, you must display a UK sticker on the rear of your bike.

Crit'Air eco sticker

None of our tours go through Crit'Air zones, so no need to apply for a sticker.

Toolkit

Take what you need. If your pride and joy needs a specific 41mm socket to undo the wheel nut, bring it! Consider what you'll need in a worst case situation, where you've broken down 100 miles from civilisation. A roll of gaffer tape sometimes isn't enough!

Spare bulbs

For non LED lights, it's useful (and a legal requirement in some countries) to have a spare bulb kit.

Tyres

Number one issue on tours is tyres. Make sure you have plenty of tread on your tyres before any tour and give them a quick spin to ensure you haven’t got any foreign objects lodged in there. When touring abroad you can go through tread much quicker than at home as you’ll often be carrying more weight, sometimes a pillion too, on nice sticky warm tarmac and possibly giving it a bit more throttle than usual. The rule of thumb is if you think it’s even a possibility that you’re going to run them low then replace before you go.

Battery service

Having your battery on an Optimate when not in use is great but batteries still have a limited lifespan. Test before you go and if you don't have a testing kit, pop into a garage and ask them to check. If in doubt, swap it out.

Brakes

Again, check before you go. Ensure you have plenty of wear left in your pads and that your disks are in good shape too.

Pads can be tricky to source in Morocco.

Numberpate

Sounds silly but to avoid getting into a sticky situation with an overzealous Police officer, ensure your numberplate complies with legislation in your home country without having to argue with a foreign Policeman.

Driveshaft / Chain

Make sure you know how to adjust and clean your chain. Bring a cheap cleaning kit with you and you'll be in good company in the carpark at the end of the day.

Spare Oil

You know if your bike drinks or not, and it's a good idea to bring a litre of your favourite oil brand with you.

What to pack?

This is not a definitive list. As a rule of thumb, everyone takes too much the first time.

Take what you actually need and leave the rest behind.

As a minimum you'll need:

High Viz vest - this is required in Europe in case of breakdown on the motorway. Consider high viz waterproofs, which fulfils both requirements.
Helmet, motorbike gloves and your favourite riding gear.
Casual clothes.
Toolkit
Passport and documents.
First aid kit and personal medications.
Spare drink and snacks.

It is also a good idea to have a photo of the following documents on your phone, as well as a photo copy stashed away somewhere of:

Passport
V5C Document
MOT Certificate
Drivers Licence

There is plenty of information online but Mad or Nomad is a good source of information of what to pack.

Pile of motorbike luggage waiting to be packed

How we ride?

Each rider has the choice to ride solo and meet us at the end point of the day, or ride with the group. Just tell your guide if you're riding solo for the day so we don't wait for you!

Although everyone will have a tour pack with daily route guides, the actual route may vary from day to day. With that in mind we use the "second man drop-off system". To explain, the tour leader is always in front and navigates the route, and a nominated 'Tail End Charlie' rides at the back ensuring no one is left behind.

When we come to a junction, the rider immediately behind the leader stops at a safe and visible spot to mark the junction, ensuring the rest of the group follows the correct route, then re-joins the group in front of the tail rider.

The need for speed?

Lets be clear. I like opening it up the same as anyone else but you're a visitor in a foreign country and as such you should respect their laws and customs (as much as you do at home).

If the group is pulled over, follow the lead of the tour leader. If you're pulled over on your own, the group will pull up around the corner and wait for you. Police tend to not like a group of armoured bikers all pleading their case and it opens up the chance of them handing out fines for everyone!

This leads on to my 'two wallets' rule.

I carry two wallets. One on me with drivers licence, a single credit card and less than £20 in cash. The other one is stashed away with everything else in it. From experience in several countries around the world, there's a chance a Policeman will pull you over for a quick bit of beer money. If they can legitimately issue you a fine, they should be able to take card or agree to escort you to an ATM. If they are trying to pull a fast one, the most you'll loose is £20 because 'I don't have any cash, look at my wallet'. It works, believe me.

Comms

I use Cardo Packtalk Edge comms system.

When riding on my own, there's usually an eclectic mix of Metallica, Beach Boys and 80's rave in my headset, with me having my own helmet karaoke session. But on tour it's all ears on the road.

When on tour, there's no requirement to have comms, but having group comms is useful. The Cardo Packtalk Edge system allows multiple riders to connect via a 'mesh' system linking the first rider, with the second, with the third etc. It helps massively in busy towns and allows for a bit of banter (and there is a mute button).

If you're considering asking Santa for a pre-tour present, consider a Cardo Packtalk Edge. They're not cheap, but the battery will last all day and then some, and the sound quality is great. That said, any Cardo with DMC mesh works just as well.

For clarity, I have no affiliation or link to Cardo. It's just the best bit of kit on the market.